Homeowner Guide· Updated November 2026· Reviewed by ProScore Editorial Team

Planning a Bathroom Renovation in Ontario: Timeline, Sizes, Permits

Plan an Ontario bathroom renovation: what sets the timeline, the standard 60 by 30 inch bathtub, when you need a permit, who does the wiring and plumbing, and what a quote covers.

To plan a bathroom renovation in Ontario, decide first whether the fixtures stay where they are or move, because that one choice drives the permits, the trades and most of the schedule. Then measure for standard fixture sizes, check with your city whether you need a building permit, make sure electrical work is licensed or notified to the ESA, and get three written quotes for the same scope before you sign.

This guide takes each of those steps in order: what decides the timeline, standard sizes, permits, the order the work happens in, and what a quote should spell out.

What Decides How Long a Bathroom Renovation Takes?

Four things set the schedule more than anything else:

•Whether fixtures move. Replacing a tub, toilet and vanity in the same spots is a much shorter job than moving them. Moving a fixture means new drain and supply lines, usually a permit, and inspections before the walls close.

•Permits and inspections. Work that needs a building permit cannot be closed in until it has been inspected, so the inspection dates set the pace.

•Special-order items. Custom vanities, glass shower doors and some tile can take weeks to arrive. Order them before demolition starts, not after.

•What is behind the walls. Water damage or rot found during demolition adds days. A good quote says how it will be handled and priced.

Ask each contractor for a written schedule that shows these stages, not a single total.

What Is the Standard Bathtub Size?

The most common bathtub in Canadian homes is the alcove tub, built to fit a three-walled recess. Its nominal size is 60 by 30 inches, about 1,524 by 762 millimetres. Manufacturers' spec sheets show the actual length is often slightly less, around 59 3/4 inches, and heights run from about 18 1/2 to 22 inches depending on the model.

Before you buy a replacement:

•Measure the alcove, wall to wall, at the top and bottom of the recess.

•Check the drain side. Alcove tubs are made with the drain on the left or the right; it must match your existing drain or the plumbing will have to move.

•Read the model's spec sheet for its exact dimensions and rough-in, not the nominal size on the box.

•Measure the doorway and hallway, so the new tub can actually get into the room.

Do I Need a Permit for a Bathroom Renovation?

It depends on what you are changing and where you live. Building permits are issued by your city, and the rules differ:

•Moving, adding or removing a fixture almost always needs a building permit. Mississauga, for example, requires one when a sink, tub, toilet or shower is [added, removed or relocated](https://www.mississauga.ca/services-and-programs/building-and-renovating/building-permits/when-a-building-permit-is-required/).

•Replacing fixtures in the same spots varies by city. Mississauga requires a permit even then; some cities do not ask for one when a fixture is replaced like for like, so check yours.

Call your city's building department before work starts, and put in the contract who will apply for the permit. A building permit does not cover electrical work, which is handled separately.

Who Can Do the Electrical and Plumbing Work?

Electrical. If you hire someone to do electrical work in your home, Ontario law requires a Licensed Electrical Contractor. Homeowners may do their own electrical work, but must file a notification with the Electrical Safety Authority before, or within 48 hours of, starting it, and must not cover the work until it has been reviewed. New receptacles near a sink or tub need ground-fault (GFCI) protection. When the work passes, the ESA issues a certificate of acceptance; keep it for insurance and resale.

Plumbing. Plumbing is a compulsory trade in Ontario: the person doing the work needs a Skilled Trades Ontario Certificate of Qualification or must be a registered apprentice. You can check a name on the Skilled Trades Ontario public register.

In What Order Does a Bathroom Renovation Happen?

Most bathroom renovations follow the same sequence:

1.Order long-lead items and confirm their delivery dates.

2.Demolition, then a look at the subfloor and wall framing for water damage.

3.Rough-in of plumbing, electrical and the exhaust fan duct.

4.Inspections of the rough-in, where a permit or ESA notification applies.

5.Walls and waterproofing, including a waterproof membrane behind tile in wet areas.

6.Tile, floor and walls.

7.Fixtures: tub or shower, toilet, vanity, taps and lighting.

8.Final inspection and a walkthrough with your contractor.

Knowing the order helps you spot a schedule that skips a step, such as tiling before an inspection.

What Should a Bathroom Renovation Quote Include?

Ontario requires a home renovation contract worth more than $50 to be in writing, and recommends a deposit of no more than 10 percent. For a bathroom, the quote should also spell out:

•Every fixture by make and model, and who supplies it

•Demolition and disposal of the old bathroom

•Waterproofing behind the tile in the tub or shower area

•The exhaust fan, and where it vents to

•Plumbing and electrical work, and who files the permit and the ESA notification

•How damage found behind the walls is handled, and how it is priced

•A schedule by stage, and the warranty on labour and materials

Get three written quotes for the same scope, so you are comparing like with like. Our contractor vetting checklist covers the licence, WSIB and insurance checks to run before you sign.

Your Bathroom Planning Checklist

1.Decide the scope: same layout, or moving fixtures.

2.Measure the alcove, the drain side and the doorway.

3.Call your city about a building permit.

4.Confirm who does the electrical and plumbing work, and that they are licensed.

5.Order long-lead items before demolition.

6.Get three written quotes for the same scope, and a schedule by stage.

To find contractors, compare bathroom renovation companies and plumbers across Ontario, then put your shortlist side by side with the compare tool.

FAQ

What is the standard size of a bathtub in Canada?

The most common is the alcove tub, with a nominal size of 60 by 30 inches (about 1,524 by 762 millimetres). Actual lengths are often slightly shorter, around 59 3/4 inches, so check the model's spec sheet and measure your alcove before you buy.

Do I need a permit to renovate a bathroom in Ontario?

You usually do if you move, add or remove a fixture. Whether replacing fixtures in the same spots needs a permit depends on your city: Mississauga, for example, requires one. Call your city's building department before you start.

Can I do the electrical work in my own bathroom?

Yes, as a homeowner, but you must file a notification with the Electrical Safety Authority before or within 48 hours of starting, and the work must be reviewed before it is covered. If you hire someone, Ontario law requires a Licensed Electrical Contractor.

What should a bathroom renovation quote include?

Every fixture by make and model, demolition and disposal, waterproofing behind the tile, the exhaust fan, the plumbing and electrical work and who files the permits, how hidden damage is handled, a schedule by stage and the warranty.

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